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Bombay (now Mumbai), my native city, had always charmed me because of its cosmopolitanism and also because I have had a number of friends and relatives there.

In 1965, a year after I had appeared for my finals for my Master's in English literature, I thought it would be a good opportunity to revisit Bombay. I had already gone there the previous year and had met and interviewed quite a few Bollywood luminaries. A couple of years earlier, I had become the editor of Eastern Film, Pakistan’s largest selling English monthly, and wanted to continue my interaction with more celebrities.

I was merely 22 at the time and my friends had warned me that Pakistan and India had already come to blows in Kashmir and the situation could worsen. I didn’t take the warning seriously because a few months earlier, the two countries were involved in a skirmish over the border between the Rann of Kutch and Sindh, and the conflict had dissipated.

It was in the third week of August 1965 that I boarded the steamer Sabarmati — coincidentally the same ship that had brought me and my family to Karachi way back in 1950 when we migrated to Pakistan. The vessel dropped anchor at Bombay’s Princess Docks.

I spent the first few days watching movies. Thanks to the assistant director of Dilip Kumar’s and Waheeda Rahman’s film Dil Diya Dard Liya, I got the opportunity to see the movie in the mini theatre of Kardar Studios.

Sitting in the row ahead of me was Dilip Kumar himself, who was discussing with composer Naushad the background music, which was yet to be recorded. A.R. Kardar’s name was to appear as the producer and director of the movie but in actual fact it was Dilip Kumar who was calling the shots.

Since India and Pakistan were locked in combat in Kashmir, many Muslims avoided me like a plague.

Naushad, with whom I had a nice chat in his house on my previous trip, avoided me but Dilip Kumar was bold enough to answer a few questions. He promised to see me on his return from Madras (now Chennai), where he was shooting for his movie Aadmi.

But fate had something else in store.

At noon on 6th September, after watching Chaudhvin Ka Chand, I went to producer Irshad Ali’s office to get some stills from his under-production Saaz Aur Awaaz which I wanted to publish in Eastern Film.

Sitting with him were three refugees from west Punjab. When they realised that I was from Pakistan, one of them said: “what are you doing here? Go back to your country. Your President General Ayub has declared war on India.”

Irshad Ali took me to another room on the pretext of giving me the pictures. He told me to go away from the backdoor. “It is in your as also my interest that you disappear from here.”

I tried to leave for Karachi by air, but all the flights between the two countries had been cancelled.

The following day’s papers carried the news that Pakistanis would need exit permits to leave India. Likewise, Indians stranded in Pakistan were to seek special permission before leaving the country they were visiting.

I was staying with an uncle, who spent long hours at his office. His wife was too busy looking after her small kids.

Fortunately, Zuleikha, a school friend from Lahore, where we had spent the first three years after migrating from India, was well settled in a posh area in south Bombay. Her husband, a businessman called Yusuf, often took us out for lunch or evening tea.

One day, he dropped us at the Regal Cinema, close to the Gateway of India, where we were watching an English movie.

Suddenly, the movie stopped and the screen showed a still announcement that there was an air raid and advised the audience to go to the underground car park. “Don’t panic, the staff will guide you,” was the advice. Sure enough, the staff were the first to run.

When, after 16 stressful days, the ceasefire was announced, I thought exit permits would be issued soon, but that proved to be mere wishful thinking.

A couple of weeks after the war ended, I went to a large book store, Taraporewala, which was in those days located near the Museum. A professor at the University of Karachi had asked me to get a vial of eye drops for her father that were made by an old Parsi who worked at the bookstore.

I went to the elderly Parsi gentleman and told him that I was sent by Miss Rhoda Vania. “Oh! You have come from Pakistan,” he said in a tone that reflected his fright.

The next day, a plainclothesman from the CID office came to my uncle’s house and told me that I was to be interrogated.

I thought I was going to be interned.

I picked up the suitcase that I had packed with old clothes and a couple of books on Mr Gandhi. “Why are you taking this? We don’t have residential accommodation in our office,” he said. I felt relieved.

At the CID office, located near Crawford Market, I was taken to one Mr Takle (pronounced Taaklay), who examined my passport.

“You have the visa for Poona but it seems you didn’t go there. Why?”

“That’s because of the armed conflict between our two countries,” I replied, weighing my words carefully.

“What do you think of the armed conflict?” was the next question.

“What do you want me to think of an armed conflict between two poor countries with large ill-fed populations,” I replied.

“OK, that’s enough,” said Takle. “Now just tell me why did you go to the Taraporewala book shop?”

I realised that the old Parsi gentleman must have informed the CID office himself. Since I had nothing to hide, I told Takle the whole story. “If you forbid me, I will not go there again to collect the vial of eye drops,” I said.

“I would suggest you go and take two or three vials, because I don’t think there will be Pakistanis coming here for quite sometime. You seem to be a nice fellow. Just don’t go near defence installations,” said Takle in a gentle tone.

“Where are the defence installations?” I queried innocently, only to hear Takle laugh loudly.

“I won’t tell you because tomorrow if you are arrested, you will tell the interrogators that I gave away the locations of the sensitive places. You better ask your relatives. They will tell you where they are,” he said as he gave me my passport back.

“Where will I get the exit permit from?”

That was my last question.

“I shall give it but I need to get the ‘go ahead’ signal from Delhi. You will get to know from the newspapers.”

“You will be the last man to get the exit permit,” he teased me, as he offered me a cup of tea and shared a plate of puff biscuits.

“Don’t worry, I shall see to it that you are the first person to be issued an exit permit.”

I could see that he had taken a liking for me, a feeling that I reciprocated in equal measure. I started visiting him every third or fourth day to find out if he had gotten the notification from the Home Ministry to start issuing the exit permits.

One day Takle told me in a light-hearted tone: “Look, you are coming to my office every other day. I offer you tea but you also demand puff biscuits, as if that’s your birthright. I may be an officer but only in the middle management cadre. You stay at home and I shall phone you as soon as I get the OK from the Home Ministry.”

Since there were no phone connections between the two countries and telegrams and letters were not allowed to be exchanged, my parents in Karachi feared that I was interned.

A month or so later, a relative with a British passport left for London and phoned my father that I was having a good time in Bombay, watching movies and going to clubs and restaurants.

Almost three months after I had arrived in Bombay, I came to know that Pakistanis with ‘connections’ were able to get exit permits.

I approached a Member of Parliament who had been a Godmother to my mom. She wrote a letter to one Mr Venkatesh, a senior officer at the Sachivalya (as the Secretariat is called in Hindi). Mr Venkatesh sent for his secretary and dictated a letter to someone in the Home Ministry, asking him to send it to Delhi by a special service, along with my passport.

Three days later, I got a call from Takle. “Where the hell are you? I am issuing exit permits left, right and centre and there is no trace of you.”

I told him that my passport was in Delhi and that I would get a special permission to leave. “What? You have no idea about the red tape in government offices. Go to your friend and ask him to get your passport back,” came the irritated reply.

I made a dash to Mr Venkatesh’s office. He summoned his secretary and dictated another letter, asking the Home Ministry to return the passport as exit permits were being issued to everyone. I left the room along with the secretary.

I was tense. I took out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket only to realise that I had no match box. I offered a cigarette to the secretary and asked him to light my cigarette. He opened his drawer and, lo and behold, my passport was there.

“Give me my passport back,” I told the secretary, who it seemed had sent the letter but had forgotten to enclose the passport.

“No, I can’t give it to you. I have to follow the instructions. Your passport will go to Delhi and I shall see to it that you get it back in less than a week,” he pleaded.

“If you don’t give it back. I shall go to Mr Venkatesh and then you’ll have had it,” I almost screamed.

“OK, take it but promise me that you will not tell my boss about it?” he said. I did, and have kept my word for 51 years.

Takle issued me the exit permit even though his day’s work was over.

Two days later, I was on an AlItalia flight to Karachi, where a large number of relatives and friends were at the airport to welcome me.

On my next trip to Bombay, which was in 1976, I went to see my friend in the CID office. Takle, I was told, had retired and gone back to his village, where he had died soon after.

Email

Asif Noorani, a peacenik, has been writing articles and delivering lectures in India, Pakistan and the US on the need for closer relations between the people of the two subcontinental countries for several years. He is the author of four books, including Tales of Two Cities, which he co-authored with distinguished Indian columnist Kuldip Nayar.

He can be reached at asifnoorani2002@yahoo.com

The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

You are welcome to India anytime Sir. You will get the best treatment.

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Tahir A

Sep 06, 2016 10:46am

Superb recollection nicely put together. Leave aside the war aspect but the situational circumstances and meeting people and the names mentioned like Kardar Studios, Naushad, Dilip Kumar, Taraporewala and the effervescent Takle touch nostalgia of the 1950's and 60's.

There is a something about Mumbai and its compelling charm. It attracts one like a magnet.

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Sarwat

Sep 06, 2016 10:52am

There are lot of incidents where friendships are higher than politics, division and hatred. Specially, when we live abroad our natural tendencies take over and we are attracted to each other (Pakistanis and Indians), then there are some who think life is not short and force themselves to see the glass as half empty.
Aik he maa ke do baitay hein
bus karvat palat ke laite hein.

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Kris

Sep 06, 2016 11:03am

That is a very heart-warming story. It's amazing that we could keep humanity even when we were in the middle of a war. These days it appears harder even during times of peace.

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AW

Sep 06, 2016 11:07am

This confirms that the people on both sides are the same. Both want peace and friendship - The governments should seriously work on normalization of relations for increased people to people contact and bilateral trade

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Rattan - Western Aus- ONLY DIRT HERE

Sep 06, 2016 11:12am

Regal cinema is 5 minutes walk from gateway of india.you invoked such memories.

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Anil Desai

Sep 06, 2016 11:18am

"ok, you are coming to my office every other day. I offer you tea but you also demand puff biscuits, as if that’s your birthright. I may be an officer but only in the middle management cadre" Hilarious!!

Some soothing in tense situation.... :-)

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Muhammad Salahuddin Abro

Sep 06, 2016 11:19am

The best part of the story was: “Look, you are coming to my office every other day. I offer you tea but you also demand puff biscuits, as if that’s your birthright."

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Ritesh

Sep 06, 2016 11:25am

Yesterday I was watching Bajarangi Bhaijaan with my wife. She asked are people in Pakistan really this good? I said, certainly, yes they are good & friendly! I told her about experience of many Indian people who were given freebies by shopkeepers in Pakistan. For her this was a great surprise.

Today morning I read about how a Pakistan air force officer saved an Indian pilot from torture & gave him good treatment.

And then I read this article.
Circle is complete!

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Feroz

Sep 06, 2016 11:26am

Guys like inspector Takle are real heroes, doing difficult jobs without losing their compassion or humanity. There are a number of such selfless individuals doing such service everywhere, but never acknowledged. No one has ever rewarded such people for anything they have done.

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CHAUDHARY

Sep 06, 2016 11:43am

Beautifully written on human relations and humanity...

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Mustafa

Sep 06, 2016 11:56am

There is indeed good reason for both countries to set aside the Kashmir issue and establish good relations.There is no point in holding the lives of 1.5 bn people in the subcontinent ransom for a piece of territory which both sides have already had a slice of.

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Zulfiqar Ali

Sep 06, 2016 12:01pm

good memories

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Zeeshan

Sep 06, 2016 12:05pm

I will definitely visit INDIA

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zeeshan

Sep 06, 2016 12:05pm

A great pacifist !

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Farrukh

Sep 06, 2016 12:15pm

This was really thrilling. I wish I was a part of this story!

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tanny

Sep 06, 2016 12:41pm

The two governmentd should sign peace agreements and allow people from both countries to travel more freely.

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RUCHIMAH

Sep 06, 2016 01:01pm

@Muhammad Salahuddin Abro I fully agree with you on this. I was laughing for some time after reading this.

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PURUSHOTTAM SINGI

Sep 06, 2016 01:32pm

@pakistani Sir, every India wants that. After a long gap I was wandering in lanes of old Delhi and was saddened that a composite culture was permanently damaged. We Indians definitely want to visit Pakistani cities, so is the case with Pakistanis.
How to achieve it?
Without prejudice I would say that please do not weigh every action in terms of religion. If we can shed this mentality, there would be a lot of goodies for the people of both countries.

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PURUSHOTTAM SINGI

Sep 06, 2016 01:34pm

@Zeeshan You are welcome!!

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Bharath

Sep 06, 2016 01:41pm

It is refreshing to read such episodes on how humanity can overcome tense situations.

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jdd

Sep 06, 2016 01:44pm

@Ali muslims are enjoying more rights then hindus

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Ahmad

Sep 06, 2016 01:46pm

Rest in peace Mr Takle. We need more poeople like you on both sides of the border.

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abhishek pandey

Sep 06, 2016 01:45pm

Great story published by THE DAWN NEWS. Stories like these should be encouraged. there is no place for animosity between nations whose half population is still malnourished.

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paban kumar ghosh

Sep 06, 2016 01:59pm

This article has the hallmark quality of R.K Narayan, an Indian English writer. It is punched with contradiction, fun, laughter and yet have the message of humanity. Good people exist everywhere on this planet.

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sami

Sep 06, 2016 02:03pm

This is beautiful

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Haramullah

Sep 06, 2016 02:02pm

Law with humanity was being implemented in 1965 also. These kind of values help in good governance in future.

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Nirdar

Sep 06, 2016 02:40pm

@Ali.... Muslims are having better rights options in India, I am a hindu and I don't like my wife and I can't simply say those three words of talaak and find my bliss.

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indian

Sep 06, 2016 03:24pm

Sir you are welcome with open arms. Any good hearted Pakistani who realizes that peace is the key to progress and negotiations and not the gun leads to solutions is most welcome, and shall be treated like a brother or sister.

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indian

Sep 06, 2016 03:24pm

why don't we make a movie on this. Good theme.

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vishal

Sep 06, 2016 03:28pm

@Zeeshan Dear Once you pay visit to Great India, then you will not name to go back.

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ROHIT PANDEY

Sep 06, 2016 03:35pm

Nice, story, a human interest one!:):)

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Guru

Sep 06, 2016 03:52pm

Thanks for painting us as humans. Very light hearted & enjoyable story

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Sympathiser

Sep 06, 2016 03:54pm

Really emotional and touching!!!

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RV

Sep 06, 2016 03:59pm

Good article

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wiseman

Sep 06, 2016 04:09pm

@AW Exactly, people on the both sides of the border are the same. Share same ancestry, same culture and same heritage. Should there be two nations..

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Zakki

Sep 06, 2016 04:13pm

@Mustafa

u r absolutely right.

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Zakki

Sep 06, 2016 04:13pm

“What do you want me to think of an armed conflict between two poor countries with large ill-fed populations,”

That really sums it up.

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Rational

Sep 06, 2016 04:13pm

Would love to be guest of Anopum Kher

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Sahiwal

Sep 06, 2016 04:15pm

Indians and Pakistani don't hate each other as their political leaders do. There should be peace and love and more people to people relations... We must learn to respect and honor each other or we let the West take full advantage of our enmity.

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Concerned

Sep 06, 2016 04:34pm

ITS ONLY THE DIRTY POLITICIANS WHO KEEP BOTH THE COUNTRIES FIGHTING

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Manik

Sep 06, 2016 04:37pm

Nice one

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Chaman

Sep 06, 2016 04:48pm

We read mostly about the bad stories, Stories like this must cooer must appear more often.
Two of my brothers have visited Pakistan, one on official visit, one travelled through Pakistan.
My wife and I would love to visit the country. I must have been 3 to 4 years old, when I visited Sialkot with my parents. The only remember my father finding the bogey at the train station. No other recollections. Would love to
I have lot of very good friends from Pakistan and would like to visit the country and spend some time with a local family. Travel through the country, share the stories that we humans experience in our lives.
I think people from both countries should set up a way to host each other. It will promote understanding, unity and brotherhood. Both countries will gain from such heart to heart chats.

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Tsmilselvan

Sep 06, 2016 04:51pm

After all we have the same culture and hospitality and there is no reason for us to fight but work together. Keep your part of Kashmir and we keep ours and let's declare the LOC as the international border and live peacefully.

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Robinson

Sep 06, 2016 05:01pm

@Zeeshan Anytime brother.

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Jayanta

Sep 06, 2016 05:03pm

Awesome..Touching story..well written too..

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Jayanta

Sep 06, 2016 05:03pm

Sir .please come again..we respect and like people like u al over world.

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Vaibhav - Mumbai

Sep 06, 2016 05:18pm

Very nice read

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Rajeev

Sep 06, 2016 05:19pm

Very nice article.
The way you wrote this story, I felt like I was in Bombay, reminded me all the areas of Bombay. Now I am in Canada but love and knows all the areas of Bombay of olden days.

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rahul1

Sep 06, 2016 05:44pm

Simplicity of human touched me.
All humans are welcome to India

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Linny

Sep 06, 2016 05:53pm

One of the Pakistani who would like to foster brotherhood between the two nations

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Syed Waqar Ali, Canada

Sep 06, 2016 05:56pm

Very good script. Asif, your style is the same as it was in S.M. College where we were our graduation. Good luck my friend/class fellow.

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Dinesh

Sep 06, 2016 06:15pm

Very nice story - I was moved.

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Samad Chaudhry London

Sep 06, 2016 06:22pm

An interesting tale from days gone by.

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Sukhbir K Maggu

Sep 06, 2016 06:33pm

Beautiful, a very heart warming narrative.

Bless you Sir.

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siddhu

Sep 06, 2016 06:42pm

NOORANI SIR, ITS VERY HEART TOUCHING STORY. THINK WHY NOT WE ARE MUCH CLOSER.

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TBH

Sep 06, 2016 06:45pm

All mistrust started after 1965 war and both nations are unable to reverse that legacy.

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Ramesh Parida

Sep 06, 2016 06:53pm

I visited Wagah border to watch the Beating Retreat ceremony. Though security forces on both sides were trying to pump up the adrenalin on both sides on loudspeakers, the thing that I found fascinating WAS: People on both sides were looking at one another with longing in their eyes. A couple of foreigners were smirking at securitymen of both countries marching menacingly with goosesteps at each other. Surely, after 70 years, both our nations show grow up and behave like mature entities.

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Observer

Sep 06, 2016 07:08pm

Shows why India and Pakistan should be the closest of friends and allies. What is holding back their leaders?

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Ranade

Sep 06, 2016 07:38pm

Very good read.

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Malveros

Sep 06, 2016 07:58pm

@Tsmilselvan
That is not possible my friend. Kashmir is disputed territory. Only Kashmiris have the right to decide what they aspire for.

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Ratnam Raj Prakash

Sep 06, 2016 08:00pm

@Ritesh I have tears in my eyes.

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Ratnam Raj Prakash

Sep 06, 2016 08:03pm

@Zeeshan will embrace you with love.

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Sudhir Deodhar

Sep 06, 2016 08:31pm

good stories of friendship should always be shared.

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TBH

Sep 06, 2016 08:36pm

@Malveros "That is not possible my friend. Kashmir is disputed territory. Only Kashmiris have the right to decide what they aspire for."

Why not make your side of Kashmir independent and put pressure in India.

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pshailendra

Sep 06, 2016 08:52pm

@Sahiwal : I do agree but this is till you utter 'K' word.. after that it's different.

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Sep 06, 2016 08:54pm

This is the touching story of two human beings. But the Govt.of India and Pakistan are not human beings?

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Karan-Mumbai

Sep 06, 2016 08:58pm

Thank u Dawn. Such stories should be published regularly by both media's. India and Pakistan.

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Manish Desai

Sep 06, 2016 09:43pm

Blood is thicker than water. We invariably become the best of friends when we meet each other in the West.

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a

Sep 06, 2016 10:13pm

I have met Mr Noorani once. He's such a gentleman and an intellectual.

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AK

Sep 06, 2016 11:28pm

There should be 100% peace between India and Pakistan. Let people mix , enjoy and prosper. Supporting terrorism and religious fanaticism is inhuman.

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Ayub

Sep 07, 2016 12:25am

Very interesting article. May God prevail peace between the two neighborly countries so that the people may visit each other easily.

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Farrukh Safdar

Sep 07, 2016 01:54am

So touching! Good people are there on both sides of great divide. Unfortunately, The stigma of hatred , fear, racism , religious rivalry may exist for ever. I wish the subcontinent relives the glory it once enjoyed in Mogul era ...

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Lahori Kid

Sep 07, 2016 02:21am

DAWN continues to bring such love infested stories, last week it was about an Indian lady visiting Pakistan, Indians and Pakistani's went emotionally gaga over the fact that the Indian lady was treated with such respect and love. Today we are reading about a young man from Pakistan who visited India dead in the middle of the 1965 war, yet he was treated with love and respect. First, I want to thank the people of Bombay, India and specially Takle for their generosity.This is what life is all about. If we the people can treat each other with respect in war and happy times, than there is no reason for us to hate each other, the differences aren't big enough or wide enough to promote hate, ultimately, we want to be able to visit each others country,why? because apparently, in a lot of ways and in many cases, started at the other end. Lets all push for peace, there is no dignity in killing, there is no good feeling afterwards. We are all too much alike to hate each other.PEACE.

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Ajay

Sep 07, 2016 02:41am

Welcome back anytime.

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Satya

Sep 07, 2016 03:19am

Love you Mr. Noorani

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Goutham

Sep 07, 2016 03:24am

Nice story! Proves that there are some gems like Takle in the vast swamp of Indian Bureaucracy.

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Satya

Sep 07, 2016 03:40am

@Zeeshan most welcome

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ahmad

Sep 07, 2016 06:49am

how can i reach him, is it possible to have his email or telephone number ?
from similar background would love to meet him and connect.

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Harvard

Sep 07, 2016 07:59am

Mumbai and Karachi could be called sister cities. The crowded roads, traffic jams, beggars all the way,poor, poorest,middle class,and elites all look same. Recently there were talks of ferry service from Karachi to Gwadar,Pasni,Chahabahar,Oman, it could have been better if Mumbai could be added to route,this will enhance revenue,and help bring the people close.

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P.K. Shome

Sep 07, 2016 08:06am

Common Indians have no issues with Pakistan counter part and may be same vice versa. But politicians of both countries.......??

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Tickleme Elmo

Sep 07, 2016 08:34am

@Pakistani. I am with you, brother. Alas, Religion came in between brothers and split them into two.

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Akshay

Sep 07, 2016 08:46am

"I have kept my word for 51 years." Haha!

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Tickleme Elmo

Sep 07, 2016 08:54am

Kudos to Dawn for publishing such a wonderful article by Mr. Noorani. I request you to please continue to publish more from Mr. Noorani.

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SHARMAJI

Sep 07, 2016 09:24am

very heart warming article , you always welcome Sir .....

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Krish Chennai

Sep 07, 2016 10:01am

@Farrukh Safdar : Among all the comments, the one made by you - getting back to the Mughal era, really makes one sit up. Please follow the course of history, and then decide what is best for people. The year 1971 was crucial in South Asia - not because of the creation of a new country called Bangladesh, but because of a Constitutional Amendment in India that abolished the privy purse that guaranteed substantial income to the erstwhile princes and ruling families of pre-independence India.
Mughal era and the like, are all gone with the wind, Mr. Farrukh.

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Masood

Sep 07, 2016 10:57am

Touching article exemplifying humanity!
In 50s and 60s there was a different climate even during war where decency was practised.
It will require bold leadership from the 2 countries
to settle all disputes normalise relations restore travel and let people from both sides live in peace and enjoy each other's culture!!

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Najeeb Ahmad

Sep 07, 2016 11:07am

I like the takle guy, beautiful and sad story- border

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Tamilan

Sep 07, 2016 11:05am

Wow...! Thats a fantastic experience..! Nostalgic !

Its a long time since I have read such long articles ! Please do write more sir !

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PKBajpai

Sep 07, 2016 11:24am

@Sarwat Well said. Whenever I am out of India I love to meet Indians and my Pakistani brothers with whom I can talk in my or rather our own language. Call it Hindi,Urdu or Hindustani. We meet in such friendly manner that other thinks we are from the same country!

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Shahiryar

Sep 07, 2016 12:19pm

There will always be angels and devils together every where. Or in other words all fingers are not equal. I enjoyed the article.

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Paddy Singh

Sep 07, 2016 12:37pm

@nick As a child of 6yrs, I still remember many of the sights and sounds of Lahore where we lived in the haveli in Chunamandi. Also a vague memory of the fort at Sheikhupura and now wish I had revisited Pakistan earlier. Much earlier.

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David Rubin

Sep 07, 2016 02:37pm

@TBH : Present day population of Kashmir is not the sole owner of Kashmir. Millions of Hindus were expelled and converted in past 500 years. There have been multiple genocides and ethnic cleansing. Some communities and religions imported from outside are also now claiming to be Kashmiris. This is not acceptable. Kashmir's status cannot be decided by holding plebiscites at convenient snapshots. Entire population of India will decide what to do with Kashmir, not just Muslims or Pandits. All Saraswats, Kashyaps, CKPs and Konkanasth Brahmins of Maharashtra will decide.

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ABP

Sep 07, 2016 02:41pm

I can make a movie based on this story! Please advise the star-cast.

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Worth_Commenting

Sep 07, 2016 04:18pm

@David Rubin Who are you to decide that? The days of colonialism are over David and in the same way, only the Kashmiris under the relevant UN resolutions will decide their fate through a plebiscite!

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uday

Sep 07, 2016 05:03pm

nice article. humans around the world should be friends. what is really hypocritical about us, its the same people who make comments that people should be friends across the border, then in some other article which is related to raheel sharif or modi, its the same people who sound otherwise

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Ghous

Sep 07, 2016 05:25pm

Beautifully illustrated, hats off.

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SR

Sep 07, 2016 05:48pm

@David Rubin completely agree with you.

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sss

Sep 07, 2016 06:33pm

A touching story.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 07, 2016 06:44pm

@Ashok Saigal : I agree my Indian friend and that is how we need to live side by side in harmony and only people from both side can make this happen. I appreciate the story and enjoyed reading it thoroughly and it does make me wish to visit India someday and enjoy some good conversation with local folks over there.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 07, 2016 06:45pm

@Sarwat : you are right on my friend

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PKJ

Sep 07, 2016 06:48pm

What a story ! Really bounded in magical words, full of humanity, emotions and suspense. Indian's and Pakistani's are blood of same culture and landscape, have same history, fought same war for independence. Our several freedom fighters are from Pakistan(I am Indian). Similarly many from India. The fact is if there is no conflict between India and Pakistan, both the country are in good health right now. But due to political incapability and lack of will, millions of innocent and armed personal died in both side. I have lot of things to write but it's hard to express my feeling, when situation remain so much tense. Thanks DAWN for such a wonderful real story.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 07, 2016 06:53pm

@Ritesh : Thanks for sharing this as it tells us all that we have so much more common and we just need to look at each other with open hearts and open hands. A lot of good Indian friends that i have in USA shares the same sentiments and one day we should have no borders where we can freely come and go

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Zak

Sep 07, 2016 08:21pm

@pakistani why?

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Battleaxe

Sep 07, 2016 08:24pm

Nicely written ,

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Arshad, Canada

Sep 08, 2016 03:48am

A very well written and narrated story. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.

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Tickleme Elmo

Sep 08, 2016 05:18am

@Zak @pakistani why? I will tell you why? Pakistani along with all other sane people including me want peaceful, normal life for all people in both countries. only insanes would be against it.

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Vijay

Sep 08, 2016 07:04am

@wiseman two nations is a done deal and there is really no reason to change that anymore. However, if we can live in peace , it would be a wonderful start.

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lootra

Sep 08, 2016 08:38am

What a beautiful article. That's the spirit and message that needs to be shared. Please share any more similar experiences that you may have had on either side of the border.

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AHA

Sep 08, 2016 09:18am

Add this ti textbooks

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K.R.Dikshit

Sep 08, 2016 11:11am

There were many in India and Pakistan like Kuldip Nayar and Asif Noorani. Enjoyed reading the piece by A. Noorani. How long , will these two neighbours take to recognize that peace and friendship is in their interest?

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Saleemullah Khattak

Sep 08, 2016 12:32pm

Well, Pakistan and India can never become neighbours living at peace, because if they do, USA and Europe will not find any better customer to their weapon products. India and Pakistan still has no potential to be "fully sovereign" in their governance for multiple external factors and players involved in.
We, the people, powerless and unable, can only hope, the peace,to prevail.

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Rohit

Sep 08, 2016 03:01pm

Nice article

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S Singh

Sep 08, 2016 03:05pm

@Zeeshan We welcome you to visit India

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pl narasimham

Sep 08, 2016 05:22pm

This is the best solution. both the people will have peace live harmoniously. I pray God that this day should not be far off. God bless both the countries.

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pl narasimham

Sep 08, 2016 05:30pm

this is the best solution. both the people will have peace and live harmoniously. I pray God to bless both the countries. this day should not be far off.

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Abhay

Sep 08, 2016 07:16pm

Wonderful article. Long live humanity. While the governments fight, people love.

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Vinod Narang

Sep 08, 2016 09:50pm

Absolutely Beautiful Article. You are welcome to visit India any time. My be Pakistan's FO office should read this article and get their act together . Thank you Dawn for this Awesome article.

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Wonderjack

Sep 08, 2016 11:34pm

There is such a pent up demand for folks from both sides to visit the other country -- only if there was an easy process like between Canada and US. Millions of people will be travelling. But alas, I don't think it is going to happen in my life time. What a shame!

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Budhoo

Sep 09, 2016 01:29am

@David Rubin
VERRY CORRECT........................wel put.

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DG

Sep 09, 2016 02:28am

KUDOS DAWN for publishing this wonderful article!!!
I'm an Indian and feel we have more in common with people of Pakistan than ANY OTHER NATION!! We need to put our differences aside and live like friendly neighbors ought to!!

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Aik Pakistani

Sep 09, 2016 09:41am

Wonderful recount of the past, couldn't stop reading till the end. I wish we have no visa policy between the two countries.

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Ravi Pinjani

Sep 16, 2016 09:09am

As always, a joy to read your work. On reading this, I feel like meeting Mr Takle for a cup of tea and his puff biscuits. I would rather call the piece, "Taaklay and the puff biscuits".